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Thursday, July 10, 2014

At Greek Orthodox banquet, Biden talks about freedom

Vice President Biden made a visit Wednesday night to what he calls his "second city."
Biden made his second visit to Philadelphia in less than a week to
talk to the several hundred members of the Greek Orthodox Church whom
the city has hosted since Sunday.

He addressed more than 1,500 Wednesday at the Grand Banquet for the
42d Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America. The banquet capped the group's conference, held at the
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.The theme of the congress was "The Orthodox Christian Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel."

Though he is Roman Catholic, Biden was welcomed as though he were
family. He said he thinks of Archbishop Demetrios of America, who
introduced the vice president, as a man "radiating compassion" and a
close friend.Biden discussed his ties to the Greek Orthodox community, comically
noting that he's been called "Bidenopolis," an honorary Greek name of
sorts.

His speech eventually took a more serious turn, focusing on the
relationship between the United States and Greece, religious freedom,
and the Turkish secessionist state on Cyprus.The Greek Orthodox Church, Biden said, should be "free to control its destiny" without interference from any government.

He also spent a great deal of time discussing the issues surrounding
the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which he said he has
been working with others to resolve for years. He called the lack of
movement on the issue one of the "great disappointments" of his career.

But he expressed optimism that there would be a fair settlement in
the near future. Biden said the parties had finally reached a point
where the status quo is not good enough, and finding a compromise would
benefit both.